The bill, S.B. No. 471, aims to expand the provision of telehealth and telemedicine services by allowing health professionals located outside of Texas to offer these services to patients within the state. It introduces new definitions for "health professional" and "physician," clarifying that these individuals can be licensed or certified in Texas or by another state. The bill also establishes a registration process for out-of-state health professionals, requiring them to hold a valid license from another state, not be subject to any disciplinary actions, and register with the appropriate Texas licensing agency. Additionally, it mandates that these professionals comply with Texas laws, maintain liability insurance, and consent to the jurisdiction of Texas courts.

Key amendments include the removal of specific language regarding the licensing requirements for telemedicine services, allowing for greater flexibility in who can provide these services. The bill also introduces a new section that outlines the registration process and the responsibilities of out-of-state health professionals, including adherence to Texas laws and standards of care. The provisions of this bill will apply to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 111.001 (Occupations Code 111)